On3 photography duluth mn. Cougar Sightings in Northland: Trail Cameras Capture Rare Big Cat’s Journey

How are trail cameras changing wildlife monitoring in the Northland. What does the recent cougar sighting reveal about big cat populations in the region. Why are young male cougars moving eastward across multiple states.

Rare Cougar Spotted Across Three States

A series of trail camera photographs have documented the eastward journey of a collared cougar across the Northland region. The images, captured in northern Douglas County, Wisconsin on July 25, Iron County, Wisconsin on August 30, and near Ontonagon, Michigan on September 8, are believed to show the same animal traversing significant distances.

Adrian Wydeven, a wildlife biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, stated that while DNA evidence is lacking due to delayed reporting of the sightings, the presence of a collar and ear tag makes it highly probable that the photos depict the same cougar. This marks the first confirmed cougar report in northern Wisconsin since early 2010.

The Significance of Trail Camera Technology

The multiple sightings of this single cougar highlight the increasing prevalence and effectiveness of trail cameras in wildlife monitoring. Wydeven noted, “It’s getting to be an animal can’t sneak around at all in the woods any more without having its picture taken.” This technological advancement is providing researchers with unprecedented insights into wildlife movements and behaviors.

Frequency of Cougar Sightings

Despite the abundance of trail cameras, confirmed cougar sightings remain rare. This particular case represents only the second verified cougar in the past two years, suggesting that the population of these big cats in the Northland is still quite limited.

• Many reported sightings turn out to be misidentifications
• Most common false positives: bobcats and fishers
• Few sightings are verified with photographic or DNA evidence

The Mystery of the Collared Cougar

The collar visible in the Iron County photograph initially puzzled researchers. Its design differed from typical radio or GPS collars used by natural resource agencies. Further investigation suggested it might be a small radio-transmitter collar used by South Dakota wildlife officials.

However, this raises new questions:

1. South Dakota officials were not aware of missing any collared cougars
2. Most radio-collared cougars are females, while far-roaming individuals are typically males
3. The origin and purpose of this particular collar remain unclear

Eastward Migration Patterns of Cougars

The sightings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting a pattern of eastward movement among cougars in North America. Steve Loch, a wildlife biologist from Babbitt who tracks cougar sightings across the Upper Midwest, explained, “Our immigrant lions are from the west. … They just keep heading east. Young males are looking for females; when they do not find any, they keep moving.”

This behavior was dramatically illustrated by a 2010 case where a cougar traveled over 1,600 miles from South Dakota to Connecticut, setting a record for the farthest-roaming wild cat ever documented.

Challenges in Cougar Population Management

The sporadic nature of cougar sightings in the Northland presents challenges for wildlife management agencies. While the presence of these apex predators can have significant ecological impacts, their low numbers and vast territories make traditional population studies difficult.

Verification Methods

Wildlife officials rely on a combination of techniques to confirm cougar presence:

• Trail camera photographs
• DNA analysis from scat, hair, or other biological samples
• Physical evidence such as tracks or prey remains
• Verified visual sightings by trained observers

The Role of Cougars in Northland Ecosystems

As top predators, cougars play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Their presence can influence the behavior and population dynamics of prey species, potentially leading to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem. However, their extremely low numbers in the Northland currently limit this impact.

Potential Benefits of Cougar Presence

• Control of deer and other ungulate populations
• Reduction of crop and forest damage from overgrazing
• Increased biodiversity through trophic cascades

Management Considerations

As cougars continue to expand their range eastward, wildlife agencies must grapple with several key issues:

1. Public education and safety concerns
2. Livestock protection measures
3. Habitat connectivity to support viable populations
4. Interagency cooperation for tracking and management

Future of Cougar Research in the Northland

The recent sightings underscore the need for continued research and monitoring of cougar populations in the region. Advanced technologies such as GPS collars, environmental DNA sampling, and machine learning-assisted image analysis may provide new insights into cougar behavior and ecology.

Research Priorities

• Determining population size and distribution
• Understanding habitat use and preferences
• Assessing genetic diversity and population viability
• Studying interactions with other predator species

Collaborative efforts between state agencies, universities, and conservation organizations will be crucial in developing a comprehensive understanding of cougar ecology in the Northland.

Public Engagement and Citizen Science

The increasing accessibility of trail cameras and smartphones has created opportunities for public participation in wildlife research. Many state wildlife agencies now have systems in place for citizens to report potential cougar sightings and submit photographic evidence.

Benefits of Citizen Science

• Increased data collection over wide geographic areas
• Cost-effective monitoring of elusive species
• Enhanced public awareness and engagement with wildlife conservation
• Potential for early detection of range expansions or new populations

However, it’s important to note that all reported sightings must be verified by experts to ensure accuracy and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Conservation Implications of Cougar Movements

The documented movement of cougars across multiple states highlights the importance of large-scale habitat connectivity for wildlife conservation. As these animals attempt to establish new territories or reconnect with historical ranges, they face numerous challenges:

• Habitat fragmentation due to human development
• Increased risk of human-wildlife conflict
• Road mortality
• Genetic isolation in small, disconnected populations

Conservation efforts aimed at maintaining and restoring wildlife corridors could play a crucial role in supporting the natural dispersal of cougars and other wide-ranging species.

Policy Considerations

As cougars continue to expand their range, policymakers and wildlife managers may need to reassess existing regulations and management strategies. Key areas of focus could include:

1. Updating protected species status in states with emerging cougar populations
2. Developing protocols for managing human-cougar interactions
3. Implementing education programs to promote coexistence
4. Establishing interstate cooperation for monitoring and management

The Broader Context of Carnivore Recovery

The eastward movement of cougars is part of a larger trend of carnivore recovery across North America. Other species such as wolves, bears, and lynx have also been expanding their ranges in recent decades. This phenomenon raises important questions about the changing nature of ecosystems and human-wildlife relationships in the 21st century.

Factors Contributing to Carnivore Recovery

• Improved wildlife management practices
• Increased public support for conservation
• Reforestation and habitat improvement in some areas
• Legal protections for endangered species
• Changes in land use patterns

The return of top predators to ecosystems they once inhabited can have profound ecological effects, potentially restoring natural processes and increasing biodiversity. However, it also presents new challenges for wildlife managers and local communities.

Technological Advancements in Wildlife Monitoring

The successful tracking of this cougar across three states demonstrates the power of modern wildlife monitoring technologies. Beyond trail cameras, researchers are increasingly employing a range of high-tech tools to study elusive species like cougars:

Cutting-edge Monitoring Methods

• GPS collars with real-time tracking capabilities
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect species presence
• Acoustic monitoring for vocalizations and other sounds
• Satellite imagery analysis for habitat assessment
• Drone surveys for population counts and behavior studies

These technologies are revolutionizing wildlife research, allowing scientists to gather data on animal movements, behaviors, and population dynamics with unprecedented detail and efficiency.

Data Management and Analysis

The increasing volume of data generated by these monitoring techniques presents both opportunities and challenges for researchers. Advanced data management systems and analytical tools are essential for processing and interpreting the wealth of information collected. Machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms are increasingly being applied to tasks such as:

• Automated species identification in camera trap images
• Predictive modeling of animal movements and habitat use
• Analysis of long-term population trends
• Integration of multiple data sources for comprehensive ecosystem assessments

As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to provide ever more detailed insights into the lives of cougars and other wildlife, informing conservation efforts and our understanding of natural systems.

Economic and Social Impacts of Cougar Presence

The potential establishment of cougar populations in new areas can have significant economic and social implications for local communities. While some may view the return of these apex predators as a conservation success story, others may have concerns about safety or economic impacts.

Potential Economic Considerations

• Increased tourism opportunities for wildlife viewing
• Costs associated with livestock protection measures
• Impacts on hunting industries (both positive and negative)
• Property value changes in areas with confirmed cougar presence

Social and Cultural Factors

The presence of cougars can also influence local culture and community dynamics:

• Shifts in outdoor recreation habits and safety precautions
• Revitalization of indigenous cultural practices related to cougars
• Potential for increased human-wildlife conflict and associated management challenges
• Opportunities for environmental education and nature connection

Balancing these various interests and perspectives will be crucial for wildlife managers and policymakers as they navigate the complexities of cougar conservation and management in the Northland region.

The Role of Climate Change in Cougar Distribution

As we consider the eastward movement of cougars, it’s important to examine the potential influence of climate change on their distribution and behavior. While the primary driver of cougar dispersal appears to be the search for new territories and mates, changing climate conditions may be indirectly affecting their movements and habitat suitability.

Potential Climate-related Factors

• Shifts in prey species distribution and abundance
• Changes in vegetation patterns and habitat types
• Alterations in snow cover and winter conditions
• Increased frequency of extreme weather events

As the climate continues to change, wildlife managers will need to consider these factors when developing long-term conservation strategies for cougars and other wide-ranging species.

Adaptive Management Approaches

To address the uncertainties associated with climate change and its impacts on wildlife, adaptive management strategies will be crucial. These may include:

1. Regular reassessment of habitat suitability models
2. Flexible protected area designs that account for potential range shifts
3. Increased monitoring of climate-sensitive ecological indicators
4. Collaborative research efforts to understand species’ adaptive capacities

By incorporating climate considerations into cougar management plans, wildlife agencies can better prepare for future changes in distribution and behavior of these iconic predators.

Cougar caught on 3 Northland trail cameras – Duluth News Tribune

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Yet another cougar has moved across the Northland, heading east into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Trail camera photographs taken in northern Douglas County on July 25, in Iron County on Aug. 30 and near Ontonagon, Mich., on Sept. 8 appear to show …

This trail camera image taken in northern Iron County on Aug. 30 shows a radio-collared cougar. Trail cam photos from Douglas County and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula appear to show the same cougar. (Submitted photo)

By
John Myers

September 20, 2011 at 11:49 PM

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Yet another cougar has moved across the Northland, heading east into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Trail camera photographs taken in northern Douglas County on July 25, in Iron County on Aug. 30 and near Ontonagon, Mich. , on Sept. 8 appear to show the same collared cougar, said Adrian Wydeven, a wildlife biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Wydeven said all three photographs were reported to DNR staff several days after the photos were taken, so there’s been no chance to gather DNA evidence to confirm it is the same animal.

“But considering we don’t get many confirmed cougars like this, and to have more than one with a collar and an ear tag — that would be unlikely,” Wydeven said.

The three sightings of a single animal reveal something about the number of cougars and the number of cameras, he said.

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“It tells me there must be a whole lot of these cameras out in the woods for this to show up three times. If there were more cougars, they would be showing up, too,” Wydeven said. “It’s getting to be an animal can’t sneak around at all in the woods any more without having its picture taken.”

With apparently hundreds — maybe thousands — of trail cameras out there snapping photos, this is only the second confirmed cougar in the past two years. That tells Wydeven there are not a lot of the big cats roaming the Northland.

While several cougars are reported each year to natural resource officials in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, few sightings are verified. Even when photographs are reported, most turn out to be other animals such as bobcats or fishers, Wydeven said.

The recent sightings constitute the first confirmed cougar report in northern Wisconsin since early 2010, when a cougar was spotted and confirmed with DNA evidence in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan before moving even farther east. That cougar amazed wildlife experts by showing up dead in June, hit by an SUV in Connecticut. It’s believed to be the farthest-roaming wild cat ever documented, more than 1,600 miles from its probable birthplace in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Wydeven said the collar on the latest cougar — clearly showing in the Iron County game trail camera photograph — at first confused him because it was unlike most new radio or GPS signal collars used by natural resource agencies to track animals. But, after checking with cohorts in other states, Wydeven said it appears South Dakota has used some small radio-transmitter collars that look like the one on the cougar.

Most of the few cougars seen in the Northland are believed to be from the western Dakotas, the closest reproducing population. Then again, South Dakota didn’t think it was missing any of its collared cats. And most radio-collared cougars are females, while most far-roaming cougars are males.

“So that’s a bit perplexing,” Wydeven said. “And it’s interesting that there seems to be some pattern here of these cats wanting to move east.”

Steve Loch, a wildlife biologist from Babbitt who tracks and tries to verify cougar sightings across the Upper Midwest, said there were no recent reports of an ear-tagged and collared cat moving across Minnesota. The 2010 Wisconsin cat, by contrast, was first seen and confirmed in Minnesota.

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“Our immigrant lions are from the west. … They just keep heading east,” Loch said. “Young males are looking for females; when they do not find any, they keep moving.”

Cougars also are called mountain lions and pumas.

This detail from a trail camera image taken in northern Iron County on Aug. 30 shows a radio-collared cougar. Trail cam photos from Douglas County and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula appear to show the same cougar. (Submitted photo)

This detail from a trail camera image taken in northern Iron County on Aug. 30 shows a radio-collared cougar. Trail cam photos from Douglas County and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula appear to show the same cougar. (Submitted photo)

By
John Myers

John Myers reports on the outdoors, natural resources and the environment for the Duluth News Tribune. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Rookie Basketball Association – Duluth Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Rookie Basketball Association is a developmental youth basketball league for girls and boys, grades k-8, in Duluth, Minnesota.   Our focus is a holistic approach to training the body, mind (attitude), and heart (effort). Through a fun sports experience, foundational individual and team skills are developed to benefit youth in sports and in everyday life. 

The league offers seasonal sessions, plus 3-on-3 player opportunities and clinics. For information on current league events view our most recent newsletter: Summer 2023.

Winter League: Grades K-8

Winter basketball is led by a team of volunteer coaches focusing on fundamental development of basketball and character skills. These skills include change of speed and direction, handling the ball, passing, shooting, teamwork, sportsmanship and team offense and defense. Families interested in applying for scholarships must do so BEFORE registering. K1 grades will have two separate 6-week sessions of fundamental development, one in November/December, the other in January/February. K1 sessions will be one evening a week for one hour. 2-8 grade will have one weekly evening practice and play their games on 10-12 Saturdays between November-mid-March. Registration for the 2023-2024 winter season will open on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Spring Basketball: Grades K-7

K1 GRADE SKILLS & SCRIMMAGE

Rookie Basketball Association Spring K1 Skills & Scrimmage is an exciting 4 week session focused on fundamental skills, learning teamwork, and to scrimmage play. Players will have the opportunity to get on the court and practice their basketball skills then put those to the test in a scrimmage. Two-thirds of the sessions will include focus on basic skills including running, jumping, change of speed and direction, handling the ball, shooting at the target. The final one-third players will be put on teams and scrimmage. All sessions are at The Salvation Army and facilitated by RBA staff.

2-7 GRADE 3 ON 3

Spring 3 on 3 will consist of staff led warm up followed by 3 on 3 play. Players should expect 3 games per session which are all at Lincoln Park Middle School. This league focuses on improving a youth player’s fundamentals.

Scholarships are available and must be applied for and approved before registration.

Registration for Spring 2023 programming is now open.

Summer Clinics: Grades K-6

We offer summer basketball clinics for boys and girls in grades K-6. These clinics focus on developing basketball fundamentals, as well as character qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork and excellence. Players will develop their individual and team skills through training activities, participating in individual contests, and playing in games. Families interested in applying for scholarships must do so BEFORE registering. Clinics are 9:00am-4:00pm. Lunch, snack, and t-shirt are included in registration fee.

Registration for 2023 summer clinics will open in May 2023.

Discounts & Scholarships

Scholarships are available for qualifying families (download a scholarship application). PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the application, submit it with proof of income and assistance, AND BE APPROVED before registering your child. Player placement is on a first come, first serve basis. Please sumbit your complete scholarship application early as the approval process can take up to 2 weeks. Families with more than one child participating will receive a discount for each additional child. For any questions, call 218-576-6174.

Sponsors and Support

A number of basketball standouts partner with the program and practice with the kids, including the Bulldog men’s and women’s basketball teams from UMD.

We also have a number of local businesses who support the program:

League Sponsors ($1,000+)

• Pachel Foundation
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Team Sponsors ($999 & under )

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• The Salvation Army, 215 S. 27th Ave. W.
• Congdon Elementary, 3116 E. Superior St.
• Holy Rosary School, 2802 E. 4th St.
• Homecroft Elementary, 4784 Howard Gnesen Road
• Lakewood Elementary, 5207 N Tischer Road
• Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd St.
• Lowell Elementary, 200 Rice Lake Rd.
• Laura MacArthur Elementary, 720 N. Central Ave.
• Lester Park Elementary, 5300 Glenwood St.
• Myers Wilkins Elementary, 1027 N. 8th Ave. E.
• Piedmont Elementary, 2827 Chambersburg Ave.
• Stowe Elementary, 715 101st Ave. W.

All games are on Saturdays at either The Salvation Army, 215 S. 27th Ave. W., The Encounter, 201 E. 1st St., Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd St., or Superior Middle School, 3625 Hammond Ave.

If Duluth Public Schools are closed due to a holiday or inclement weather, practices or games will be canceled.

Coaches send players home with drills and skill work to practice at home. View player skill guide.

Coaches and Volunteers Needed

The Rookie Basketball program relies on volunteers to coach teams for each winter season. The time commitment varies from one to three hours per week. If you volunteered for this role last year, you will need to register but you do not need to fill out a new application. Registration for volunteer coaches for the 2022-2023 season will open on Thursday, September 8. Thank you!

Each volunteer will need to complete the following:

• Online volunteer application and registration, including references. Click HERE to apply.
• Online background check, linked in the volunteer application
• Attend Salvation Army Safe From Harm training, good for four years
• Online concussion training, state mandated and one time (view training)
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• Register as a volunteer coach, click HERE.

View the Coaches Guide  official basketball signal chart. Our Rookie Basketball coaching resources may also be helpful.

2022-2023 David Eastman Coach of the Year

2021-2022 Melody Maleski Coach of the Year

2019-2020 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year

Larry Oleksa, pictured with his family

2018-2019 Dale Stocke Co-Coach of the Year

Julie Flotten, left, and Mia Thibodeau, right, with their team.

© Lynnette’s Portrait Design 2019

2017-18 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year

Jill Doberstein, recipient, with members of her team.

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Mayor Emily Larson, Steve Williams recipient, St. Scholastica Head Coach David Staniger

Parent and Player Resources

Rookie Basketball lessons take place both on and off the court, with each parent’s involvement being key to the development of their child. The Rookie Basketball program has developed a Parent Guide, as well as the RBA Code of Conduct to help ensure the league is a positive learning and growing experience.

Photos and Video

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Split Rock Lighthouse, one of Minnesota’s most famous landmarks, located in Two Harbors, Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse, one of Minnesota’s most famous landmarks, located in Two Harbors, Minnesota

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Abstract

Digital artwork produced by Carol M. Highhet to represent her original film transparency; some details may differ between film and digital images. Shipwrecks from a powerful November 19 storm05 spurred the construction of this enduring landmark. Founded in 1910 by the American Lighthouse Service. Restored in the 1920s, the lighthouse offers a glimpse into lighthouse life in this remote and impressive location. Title, date, subject and keywords provided by the photographer. Line of Credit: Charts archived by Carol M. Highlight, Library of Congress, Prints and Graphs Division. Gift and purchase; Carol M. Highfeth; 2011; (DLC/PP-2011:124). Part of the Selects series archived by Carol M. Highth.

Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress Collection

In 2015, documentary photographer Carol Highsmith received a letter from Getty Images accusing her of copyright infringement for posting one of her photographs on her own website. He demanded a payment of $120. This is how Highsmith learned that stock photo agencies Getty and Alamy sent out similar threatening letters and charged users of her images, which she donated to the Library of Congress for free use by the general public.
In 2016, Highsmith filed a $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit against Alami and Getty, alleging they “grossly misused” 18,755 photographs of her. “The defendants [Getty Images] have clearly misappropriated Ms. Highsmith’s generous gift to the American people,” the complaint reads. “[They] are not only illegally charging license fees … but falsely and deceptively positioning themselves as exclusive copyright holders.” According to the lawsuit, Getty and Alami sold licenses on their websites to thousands of photographs of Highsmith, many without her name and stamped with “fake watermarks”. (details: http://hyperallergic.com/314079/photographer-files-1-billion-suit-against-getty-for-licensing-her-public-domain-images/)

Lots and Lots of Lighthouses

The collection/dataset uses media from the world’s largest public domain source Picryl. com. It is made in two steps – first manually picked, and then, found semi-automatically, with aid of image recognition, it comprises of more than 5,000 images.
Everything in the collection is in the public domain, so there is no limitation on the dataset usage – educational, scientific, or commercial.

• Collection – Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress Collection

  In 2016, Carol Highsmith filed a $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit against Alami and Getty, alleging they “grossly misused” 18,755 of her photographs .

• Collection – Lots and Lots of Lighthouses

  Public Domain Dataset of 5,000+ Lighthouses

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